TWO Rivers Housing has saved £4,000 and nearly 15,000kg of carbon in six months, through a project designed to reduce its impact on the environment.

The project, run through the University of Gloucestershire, achieved the savings through a series of measures such as adjusting fridge temperatures, increasing recycling and turning off equipment when not in use.

Together, they add up to significant cuts and changes in behaviour which further support the housing association’s attempts to keep its carbon footprint low.

They have also earned Two Rivers a silver standard from the university’s ‘Green Impact’ project, which was led by its Students Union.

Staff at the association formed three teams – the Jolly Green Giants, the Green Machine and the Eco-Warriors – to take the project forward and presented a portfolio of evidence for assessment, based on a number of categories such as water, recycling, energy, travel and transport.

In recent years Two Rivers have introduced new technology to allow staff to work more

efficiently and to reduce unnecessary travel, particularly for those who are out-and-about each day.

Its Newent office has been accredited as achieving the industry rating BREEAM ‘Excellent’ sustainability standard and, at the end of last year, it was ‘highly commended’ at the national Building Energy and Efficiency awards.

“We’ve always worked hard as an organisation to keep our carbon footprint low, but this project gave us an opportunity to involve staff as individuals, and to show how they could make a significant difference by changing their own behaviour,” explained Sue Barter, executive personal assistant who helped to co-ordinate the project.

“Together, we made great savings in just six months, so we’re keen to make these changes permanent features and to continue building on what we have achieved.”